19 December
2006 - The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
the Environment and Heritage, Greg Hunt, today announced
new members of the nation's premier taxonomy advisory
committee.
The Australian Biological Resources
Study (ABRS) is an Australian Government research agency
leads the world in providing species information for biodiversity
management.
The ABRS Advisory Committee advises
the Parliamentary Secretary on taxonomy policy and assesses
research grants that provide valuable information on little
known Australian plants, animals and microorganisms.
Mr Hunt said Australia is home to two
million species of plants and animals, with 80 per cent
found nowhere else in world.
"If we're to conserve our rich
biodiversity, it is vital that we build our scientific
knowledge," Mr Hunt said.
"There are a large number of species that are still
poorly known or completely undocumented. The study of
such species is fundamental to effective conservation,
and for the use of plants and animals in medicines and
vaccines. The ABRS Advisory Committee is vital to that
effort."
The committee is made up of a chairperson,
six members chosen for their technical expertise and four
stakeholder members. The following new members take up
their three year appointments from 1 January 2007:
• Professor Merilyn Sleigh as the chair
of the committee. Professor Sleigh brings valuable experience
to the committee as a pharmacologist and molecular biologist
and has been involved in developing the biotechnology
industry in Australia. Professor Sleigh is the CEO and
Managing Director of EvoGenix Limited and received the
Australian Government Centenary Medal for contributions
to biotechnology research and industry development in
2002.
• Dr Brett Summerell has been appointed as a technical
member on the committee, bringing expertise on fungi and
plant diseases. Dr Summerell is the Director of Science
and Public Programmes for the Botanic Gardens Trust in
Sydney.
• Dr Robin Wilson has been appointed as a technical member
for his expertise on marine invertebrates and their role
in the environment. Dr Wilson is a senior scientist with
the Museum of Victoria.
• Mr Andrew Inglis has been appointed as a stakeholder
member for his expertise in agricultural production, marketing,
research management and quarantine. Mr Inglis operates
a mixed grain and grazing property in South Australia
and received a Centenary Medal for services to the grains
industry and as a member of the Quarantine and Exports
Advisory Council.
• Dr Anna Lavelle has accepted an appointment as a stakeholder
member, bringing expertise in biotechnology. Dr Lavelle
is the CEO for AusBiotech which is Australia's Biotechnology
Industry Organisation.
Mr Hunt thanked the outgoing members
of the committee, Dr Ian Gould (who held the position
of chair) and Dr John Pitt, Dr Winston Ponder, Mr Guy
Fitzhardinge and Dr Jane Gilmour for the valuable contribution
they had made in assisting ABRS to deliver the Australian
Government programme that contributes to vital biodiversity
research.
John Deller (Mr Hunt's Office)
